Hegar, Oliver, Kopser and Roy win primary runoffs

Posted
Wednesday, May 23, 2018 10:12 pm

By SCOTT W. COLEMAN, Hill Country News

In Tuesday’s primary runoff election, Leander High School graduate and U.S. Air Force veteran Mary Jennings “MJ” Hegar defeated Cedar Park physician Christine Eady Mann to win the Democratic nomination for the District 31 U.S. House seat held by longtime incumbent Republican John Carter.

Hegar garnered 62.2 percent of the vote in Tuesday’s runoff.

“I am honored to have received the support of so many people in my home district where I grew up and am raising my children,” said Hegar in a written statement Tuesday night. “We must do better for our veterans, families and seniors. Now is the time to come together to win in November and give Texans the present and available representation we deserve and have been sorely missing.”

Healthcare attorney and accountant Julie Oliver defeated Central Texas attorney Chris Perri in the Democratic primary for U.S. House District 25. OIiver earned 52.2 percent of the vote and will face incumbent Republican Roger Williams in November.

Joseph Kopser defeated Mary Street Wilson in the Democratic primary for the District 21 congressional seat formerly held by retiring incumbent Republican Lamar Smith, earning 58 percent of the vote. On the Republican ballot, Chip Roy garnered 52.7 percent of the vote beat Matt McCall and will run to replace Smith in November.

In the Democratic primary for the governor’s race, Lupe Valdez beat Andrew White and will face incumbent Republican Gov. Greg Abbott in the fall.

In the Republican runoff for Place 6, Justice of the 3rd Court of Appeals District, Mike Toth beat Donna Davidson.